Editor's note: The following reflects the opinion of the Grand Rapids Press, Kalamazoo Gazette and Flint Journal editorial boards, whose newspaper coverage areas include the 80th and 82nd House Districts.

Details of the plot -- backed up by The News with audio recordings of Courser supplied by a former aide -- boggle and vex the mind. But never mind the salacious bits that have provoked scorn and accusations of hypocrisy toward the religious, tea party lawmakers: the real travesty is their plan to enlist aides whose salaries are paid by taxpayers to spread their deceit via email to Republicans across Michigan.

This truly is compelling enough evidence to warrant their resignations. But amid an investigation in the House and unrelenting backlash, Courser has only entrenched himself further by refusing to step down. He even now claims that his hand was forced by blackmail from unknown political enemies, and that he must remain in power to seek them out.

These are not the words and actions of a person who is serious about the best interests of his constituents. This is the mudslinging of a man who fancies himself a martyr to the far-right conservative cause, a man who abuses the powers of his post and days later vows to remain in place to root out corruption in the Republican establishment. This is another feeble attempt at deflecting blame, like the offensive gay-sex allegations he devised with Gamrat. It's clear that the only interests Courser looks out for are his own, not those of the people he serves.

Gamrat, R-Plainwell, has remained silent now that details of the conspiracy are public. But her role is without question; the audio of Courser attaches her directly to the plans. Unlike Courser, she has declined to dig herself into a deeper hole in the scandal's wake. But she, too, is culpable, and deserves the utmost scrutiny as well.

As the House investigation into whether Courser and Gamrat abused taxpayer resources continues, more details are likely to become known. We may yet learn the extent of other lawmakers' knowledge of the plot, and whether other players were ensnared in this tangled web.

Though it will take an investigation to determine any criminal wrongdoing, it does not take one to state the obvious. The pair sought to use taxpayer-funded resources to deceive colleagues and constituents. The attempted cover-up betrays a total lack of sound judgment, and shows their inability to effectively represent the people of Michigan.

Courser and Gamrat are unfit to wield the power their positions afford them. They must immediately resign.